Portable numismatic display case



y 7, 1964 c. P. JACKSON 3,140,132

PORTABLE NUMISMATIC DISPLAY CASE Filed July 23. 1962 United StatesPatent Ofiice 3,140,132 Patented July 7., 1964 3,140,132 PORTABLENUMISMATIC DISPLAY CASE Charlie P. Jackson, 25935 Lehigh, Inkster, Mich.Filed July 23, 1962, Ser. No. 211,729 4 Claims. (Cl. 312-125) Theinvention relates generally to numismatics and refers more specificallyto an improved portable display case for numismatic devices.

In the past numismatic devices, such as coins, medals and the like, havegenerally been displayed in cases having a transparent cover on one sidethereof and in which trays are positioned for receiving the numismaticdevices secured to display cards of uniform dimension.

With such structure the number of numismatic devices which can bedisplayed in a single case is limited to the number of display cardsequal in area to the area of the display case. Further with such displaycases there is usually no storage space to permit compact fixed storageof numismatic devices other than those on display and the numismaticdevices displayed are generally difficult to get at in that the coverthrough which the numismatic devices are displayed must in general beopen to remove the devices. Also, the previous display cases have not ingeneral been readily transportable with the numismatic devicespositioned therein for display,

It is therefore one of the objects of the present invention to providean improved display case for numismatic devices.

Another object is to provide a display case for numismatic deviceswherein a maximum number of numismatic devices may be displayed in aminimum area.

Another object is to provide a display case for numismatic deviceswherein ready access is provided to the numismatic devices on displayfrom the side of the case opposite that on which the devices aredisplayed.

Another object is to provide a display case for numis matic deviceswherein a plurality of numismatic devices other than those on displaymay be stored in fixed positions.

Another object is to provide a portable display case for numismaticdevices including a frame having a pair of parallel extending sides, apolygonal numismatic device supporting structure rotatably secured atthe opposite ends thereof to said parallel sides and a transparent coversecured to the frame over the numismatic device supporting structure.

Another object is to provide a display case for numismaticdevices'including a generally rectangular frame, a plurality ofpolygonal numismatic device supporting structures rotatably mounted atthe ends thereof in parallel spaced apart relation between the parallelsides of the frame and oppositely opening transparent covers on theopposite sides of the frame.

Another object is to provide a display case for numismatic devices asset forth above wherein the numismatic device supporting structures eachcomprise a pair of spaced apart octagonal end plates, V-shaped spacingmembers opening radially outwardly positioned at the corners of andextending between the octagonal end plates having longitudinallyextending flanges thereon defining an octagonal cylinder between the endplates which flanges are separated from the V-shaped members at spacedapart locations along the length thereof and extend radially inwardly ofthe defined cylinder at said locations and resilient material fillingthe defined octagonal cylinder. aan

Another object is to provide a numismatic device supporting structurecomprising a pair of spaced apart polygonal end plates, V-shaped spacingmembers opening radially outwardly positioned at the corners of andextending between the polygonal end plates having longitudinallyextending flanges thereon defining a polygonal cylinder between the endplates which flanges are separated from the V-shaped members at spacedapart locations along the length thereof and extend radially inwardly ofthe defined cylinder at said locations and resilient material fillingthe defined octagonal cylinder.

Another object is to provide a portable display case for numismaticdevices which is simple in construction, economical to manufacture andefficient in use.

Other objects and features of the invention will become apparent as thedescription proceeds, especially when taken in conjunction with theaccompanying drawings, illustrating a preferred embodiment of theinvention, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a perspective view of a display case for numismatic devicesconstructed in accordance with the invention in a display position withone cover thereof open.

FIGURE 2 is an enlarged elevation view of the portable display case fornumismatic devices illustrated in FIGURE 1.

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged partial section View of the display case fornumismatic devices illustrated in FIG- URE 1 taken on the line 3-3 inFIGURE 2.

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged partial section of the display case fornumismatic devices illustrated in FIGURE 1 taken on the line 4-4 inFIGURE 3.

FIGURE 5 is a partial section view of the display case for numismaticdevices illustrated in FIGURE 1 similar to the section view shown inFIGURE 3 and taken on the line 55 in FIGURE 4 with the resilientmaterial removed therefrom.

With particular reference to the figures of the drawing,

one embodiment of the present invention will now be disclosed in detail.I

As shown best in FIGURE 2 the display case 10 for numismatic devices,such as coins, medals and the like, comprises a generally rectangularframe 12 having a plurality of polygonal numismatic device supportingstructures 14 extending in parallel relation between and ro-I tatablysupported by the parallel sides 16 and 18 of the frame 12. Transparentcovers 20 and 22 through which numismatic devices supported on thesupporting structures 14 therefore may be viewed are provided to closethe opposite sides of the frame 12, as illustrated best in for rotatablysupporting the numismatic device support-.

ing structures 14. Also secured to the case in any convenient locationis a carrying handle 30 so that the display case 10 may be easilytransported.

The covers and 22, as shown in FIGURES 2 and 3, are provided with arectangular frame 32 therearound into which a sheet of transparentmaterial, such as glass or transparent plastic 34 is secured throughwhich numismatic devices supported by the supporting structures 14 maybe viewed. The covers 20 and 22 are secured to the frame 12 byconvenient hinge means 36 and are provided with cover locks 38 forsecuring the covers in closed position when desired.

The collapsible knee braces 40 are provided in conjunction with covers20 and 22 to permit the inclined positioning of the frame 12 and othercover for display of numismatic devices positioned in the display case,as indicated in FIGURE 1. With the display case set up, as shown inFIGURE 1, numismatic devices supported by the numismatic devicesupporting structures 14 are readily accessible from the lower side ofthe display case while they are viewable but not readily accessible fromthe upper side of the display case 10.

The individual supporting structures 14 for the numismatic devices eachcomprises a pair of polygonal end plates 42 which in the modification ofthe invention shown in the figures are octagonal which end plates areheld in spaced apart relation by spacing members 44 having a V-shapedcross section opening readily outwardly of and positioned at the cornersof the octagonal end plates. The spacing members 44 further include thelongitudinally extending flanges 46 extending in substantially oppositedirections from the open end of the V- shaped cross section thereofwhich flanges define an octagonal cylinder between the end plates. Theends '48 of the spacing members 44 are extended substantially at rightangles thereto, as shown best in FIGURE 5, to provide flanges forfacilitating connection between the longitudinally extending spacingmembers 44 and the end plates 42.

The flanges 46 are separated from the longitudinal spacing members 44 ataligned spaced apart locations 50 longitudinally thereof, as shown bestin FIGURE 4, and the separated portions 54 thereof extend inwardly ofthe octagonal cylinder defined thereby again as shown best in FIGURE 4.

The octagonal cylinder defined by the flanges 46 of the longitudinallyextending spacing members 44 is filled with a resilient material, suchas the foamed rubber core 51. A backing member 52, such as a relativelystiff piece of cardboard is then provided in each of the spaces betweenthe spacing members 44 defined longitudinally of the numismatic devicesupporting structures 14 by the radially inwardly extending portions 54of the flanges 46, as illustrated in FIGURE 4.

The numismatic supporting structures are rotatably supported in thebushings 28 by means of axle stubs 55 secured centrally of the endplates 42 and extending axially outwardly of the defined octagonalcylinder. Handles 57 are provided on the ends of the axle stubs exteriorof the frame 12 to permit ready rotation of the supporting structuresfrom opposite sides of the case 10 with equal facility.

In use of the numismatic display case 10 numismatic devices 56, such ascoins or medals, are placed on uniformly dimensioned display cards 58which may be for example approximately two by two inches and which mayhave a recess 60 therein for receiving the numismatic devices. Thedisplay cards are then placed in each of the pockets 62 formed by thelongitudinally extending spacing members 44, the radially extendingportions 54 of the flanges 46 and the backing members 52, as shown inFIGURES 3 and 4.

The display cards 58 are securely held in the pocket 62 due to theengagement of the edges thereof with the flanges 46 of the spacingmembers 44, as illustrated best 4 in FIGURE 3. The edges of the displaycard 58 are held in firm contact with the flanges 46 of the spacingmembers 44 due to the action of the resilient core 51.

As is shown best in FIGURES 3 and 4, a plurality of display cards 58 maybe placed within each pocket 62 in substantial radial alignment withrespect to the defined octagonal cylinder, each of which is held firmlyin a predetermined position with the numismatic device secured to theradially outer display card being visible through the transparent covers20 and 22. Thus a plurality of numismatic devices other than thosepositioned for display in the display case 10 may be conveniently storedand transported therein in a fixed predetermined position.

Further with the display case 10 for numismatic devices as describedabove it will be readily apparent that a great number of numismaticdevices may be displayed with a single display case 10 through rotationof the numismatic device supporting structures 14 to present varioussides of the defined octagonal cylinder toward the viewing surface.Thus, for example, with a prior display case measuring thirty-two bythirty-six inches and with the usual two by two inch display cards amaximum of two hundred and eighty-eight numismatic devices can bedisplayed. With the display case of the present invention with fiveoctagonal numismatic device supporting structures rotatably supportedtherein one hundred and twenty numismatic devices are available fordisplay on each display structure so that six hundred numismatic devicesmay be displayed in approximately the same area.

While one embodiment of the present invention has been considered indetail other embodiments and modifications thereof are contemplated. Itis the intention to include all embodiments and modifications of theinvention disclosed which are defined by the appended claims within thescope of the invention.

What I claim as my invention is:

1. A numismatic display case comprising a generally rectangular framehaving two parallel spaced apart sides, a pair of parallel spaced apartends, and a top and bottom at least one of which is transparent, atleast one polygonal numismatic device supporting member extendingbetween the parallel sides of the frame, means for rotatably mountingthe numismatic device supporting member between the substantiallyparallel sides, separate means extending through at least one of theparallel sides of the display case and connected to each numismaticdevice supporting member for rotating the supporting member from theexterior of the display case, each polygonal numismatic devicesupporting member including polygonal end plates positioned adjacent theopposite parallel sides of the display case and a plurality of spacingmembers extending between the corners thereof having a radiallyoutwardly opening V-shaped cross-section with longitudinal flangesthereon extending substantially perpendicularly to the sides of theV-shaped cross section along the periphery of the polygonal end platesdefining a polygonal cylinder in cross section and a core of resilientmaterial within the defined polygonal cylinder for urging numismaticdevices positioned between adjacent spacing members radially outwardlyof the defined polygonal cylinder.

2. Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the resilient material isfoam rubber.

3. Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein the longitudinal flanges onthe spacing members are cut transversely and longitudinally atpredetermined points along the length thereof and the portion of theflange thus severed from the spacing member extends inward at an angleto the axis of the defined polygonal cylinder to divide the spacingmembers along the length thereof into individual pockets for receivingnumismatic device display cards in stacked and stepped position.

4. Structure as set forth in claim 1 wherein both the top and the bottomof the display case are transparent, both are hinged at the same sideand are provided with a foldable brace for holding the display case in apredetermined position with the respective cover or bottom open and thedisplay case resting on the open cover or bottom.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 6Kilmer June 21, 1921 Duff Jan. 26, 1926 Donathan Mar. 1, 1927 LipschutzDec. 18, 1928 King Feb. 9, 1937 Yerkovich Oct. 29, 1957 FOREIGN PATENTSFrance June 25, 1934 Germany Dec. 17, 1951

1. A NUMISMATIC DISPLAY CASE COMPRISING A GENERALLY RECTANGULAR FRAMEHAVING TWO PARALLEL SPACED APART SIDES, A PAIR OF PARALLEL SPACED APARTENDS, AND A TOP AND BOTTOM AT LEAST ONE OF WHICH IS TRANSPARENT, ATLEAST ONE POLYGONAL NUMISMATIC DEVICE SUPPORTING MEMBER EXTENDINGBETWEEN THE PARALLEL SIDES OF THE FRAME, MEANS FOR ROTATABLY MOUNTINGTHE NUMISMATIC DEVICE SUPPORTING MEMBER BETWEEN THE SUBSTANTIALLYPARALLEL SIDES, SEPARATE MEANS EXTENDING THROUGH AT LEAST ONE OF THEPARALLEL SIDES OF THE DISPLAY CASE AND CONNECTED TO EACH NUMISMATICDEVICE SUPPORTING MEMBER FOR ROTATING THE SUPPORTING MEMBER FROM THEEXTERIOR OF THE DISPLAY CASE, EACH POLYGONAL NUMISMATIC DEVICESUPPORTING MEMBER INCLUDING POLYGONAL END PLATES POSITIONED ADJACENT THEOPPOSITE PARALLEL SIDES OF THE DISPLAY CASE AND A PLURALITY OF SPACINGMEMBERS EXTENDING BETWEEN THE CORNERS THEREOF HAVING A RADIALLYOUTWARDLY OPENING V-SHAPED CROSS-SECTION WITH LONGITUDINAL FLANGESTHEREON EXTENDING SUBSTANTIALLY PERPENDICULARLY TO THE SIDES OF THEV-SHAPED CROSS SECTION ALONG THE PERIPHERY OF THE POLYGONAL END PLATESDEFINING A POLYGONAL CYLINDER IN CROSS SECTION AND A CORE OF RESILIENTMATERIAL WITHIN THE DEFINED POLYGONAL CYLINDER FOR URGING NUMISMATICDEVICES POSITIONED BETWEEN ADJACENT SPACING MEMBERS RADIALLY OUTWARDLYOF THE DEFINED POLYGONAL CYLINDER.